Diogo Carlos Correia Amado (born 21 January 1990) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga Portugal 2 club União de Leiria.
Born in Lagos, Algarve, Amado joined Sporting CP's youth system at the age of 11. He made his senior debut in 2009âÂÂ10, splitting the season between two third division clubs (both on loan), including farm team Real Sport Clube. In June, he was released.
For 2010âÂÂ11, Amado joined U.D. Leiria of the Primeira Liga, making his debut in the competition on 15 August in a 0âÂÂ0 away draw against S.C. Beira-Mar and appearing in exactly half of the league matches as the team finished in tenth position. Ahead of the following campaign, he was loaned to G.D. Estoril Praia in the Segunda Liga.
Amado and Estoril returned to the top flight as champions. His only goal came on 13 May 2012 in the 2âÂÂ2 home draw with F.C. Arouca, who in turn avoided relegation with that result.
Amado signed a two-year contract with Sheffield Wednesday on 10 July 2012, having been recommended to manager Dave Jones by José Semedo, an ex-teammate of Amado from his Sporting youth days. However, he failed to settle and left the following month, rejoining his previous club Estoril.
On 7 October 2012, Amado scored his first goal in the top tier for the side, but in a 1âÂÂ3 home loss to Rio Ave FC. On 3 April 2016, he repeated the feat but was also sent off for two bookable offences in the 1âÂÂ0 win over F.C. Paços de Ferreira; in between, he participated twice with them in the UEFA Europa League, scoring against Panathinaikos FC (2âÂÂ0) and PSV Eindhoven (3âÂÂ3) in the group stage of the 2014âÂÂ15 edition.
In July 2017, Amado moved to Al-Gharafa SC from the Qatar Stars League. During his tenure, he won back-to-back Stars Cup trophies.
Amado returned to União de Leiria on 20 January 2022 following a brief spell in the United Arab Emirates with Ajman Club, with the former club now in the newly created Liga 3. He helped it to achieve promotion to division two in 2023.
Estoril
Al-Gharafa